New research shows Australians are a nation of wishcyclers as more than half of us (51 per cent) admit to putting waste in a recycling bin even if we’re not sure it’s recyclable.
According to research from Nestlé, one third (34 per cent) of Australians think it’s better to put all waste in the recycling bin than in the rubbish, while one in five (19 per cent) believe materials in the recycling bin will all get sorted correctly once collected.
Nestlé corporate affairs head Margaret Stuart said despite the good intentions of wishcyclers, these actions can have significant consequences.
“Our research shows that 98 per cent of people agree that recycling is something we all should do,” she said.
“However, if we’re not recycling right, it can be quite problematic. Wishcycling can lead to genuinely recyclable materials being so contaminated that they end up sent to landfill, resulting in a lost opportunity for the waste to be turned into a resource.”
The study also reveals another cause for concern: over-confidence. Sixty-seven per cent of people claim to be very confident on how to recycle right, yet 87 per cent are unwittingly putting one or more non-recyclable item in their recycling bin.
“We understand that consumers find recycling confusing, which is why we want to help people to remember to recycle – and to recycle right,” Stuart said.
“Be sure to check for the Australasian Recycling Label, which provides on pack guidance on which bin to recycle in. It also provides any additional instructions, such as scrunching, rinsing, flattening, to ensure the material is recycled properly.”
The research showed that 85 per cent of Aussies agree that the Australasian Recycling Label is key to recycling right, providing clear guidance on how to recycle.
Top tips to remember to recycle right:
- Check it before you chuck it: always look for the Australasian Recycling Label to know which bin to recycle in
- Drop off soft plastics: collect soft plastics and drop them instore at a REDcycle collection point, available in most Woolworths and Coles
- If in doubt, chuck it out: while it may seem counterintuitive, if you’re unsure if something is recyclable, put it in the rubbish bin.
Nestlé is committed to rolling out the Australasian Recycling Label on all locally made products to help consumers know how to recycle right. Nestlé is committed to making 100 per cent of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.
